Zurab Japaridze, leader of Girchi - More Freedom opposition party, on Monday condemned the Foreign Influence Bill, stating that it lacked room for meaningful discussion.

He asserts that the legislation, by its nature, leans towards being anti-Western and pro-Russian, leaving no room for negotiation. Japaridze emphasized that the president's decision to veto the bill was the correct course of action.

"The veto is a commendable step," Japaridze stated. "By not delving into the content discussion desired by the Georgian Dream, the president has avoided legitimizing a futile debate. This law's essence is clear - it tilts against Western interests and favors Russian influence. Any attempt to override this veto would only perpetuate its damaging effects”, he said. 

The bill, initially proposed by the ruling party last year and retracted after mass protests, was resubmitted by the ruling power in March. 

Although the substance of the bill remained largely intact, amendments were made to the title, replacing the term "agent" with "Organization Pursuing the Interests of a Foreign Power" for entities deriving more than 20 percent of their income from abroad.

Critics both domestically and internationally have labeled the bill as a "Russian law," with foreign allies cautioning that it could hinder Georgia's European integration efforts, particularly after the country attained candidacy status within the European bloc last year.